The fourth volume of the "Wandereing Witch" manga continues the thrilling adventures of our protagonist, Elaina. In this volume, Elaina arrives in the bustling city of Qilah alongside her trusty broomstick, Fran. Qilah is known for its rich magical history, and Elaina is eager to explore its every nook and cranny. As Elaina delves deeper into the city, she stumbles upon a mysterious bookshop tucked away in a hidden corner. Curiosity gets the best of her, and she enters the shop, only to be greeted by an old, yet enigmatic witch named Amira. Intrigued by Amira's vast knowledge of magic, Elaina strikes up a conversation, and the two soon find themselves engrossed in a discussion about ancient spellcasting techniques.

Your Ultimate Guide to Books About the Pagan Sabbats

As a Pagan witch in the public sphere who loves to share her knowledge, ideas, and general musings on a vast array of topics pertaining to my witchy path, it’s no surprise that I receive a ton – and I really do mean a ton – of questions from blog readers and social media followers.

I’m grateful to those who reach out and wish to seek my thoughts on a given subject, and try to reply to as many of the queries I receive as possible.

By far one of the areas that I receive the most questions about is book recommendations.

These inquiries tend, I find, to fall into one of several main topics. Amongst the most common are book recommendations for new witches/Pagans, spellwork, green witchery, kitchen witchery, the history of Paganism (as well as the history of witchcraft), coven work, and the sabbats.

Rare is the week I don’t get at least a few sabbat-related messages. Not all are seeking book recommendations, but a good many are and as a result, I’ve amassed an extensive list of books about the Pagan sabbats.

In a modern-day Neopaganism context, the eight main sabbats that some Pagans, Wiccans, and witches choose to observe are as follows:

Imbolc: On or around February 1 st

Ostara: On or around the Spring Equinox (aka, the Vernal Equinox), which falls between March 19 th and March 21 st

Beltane: On or around May 1 st

Litha: On or around the Summer Solstice, which falls between June 20 th and June 22 nd

Lammas/Lughnasadh: On or around August 1 st

Mabon: On or around the Fall Equinox (aka, the Southward Equinox or September Equinox), which falls between September 21 st and September 24 th

Samhain: On or around October 31 st

Yule: On or around the Winter Solstice, which usually falls on December 21 st or 22 nd

_{A beautiful image that lays out the eight Pagan sabbats which comprise The Wheel of the Year, along with their placement in relation to the western zodiac system. Image source}

Note that these date ranges are for the Western Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere where the seasons are reversed, many chose to celebrate the opposite sabbat. For example, when it’ is Beltane north of the equator, it is Samhain in the southern half of the world and vice versa.

Depending on a person’s particular spiritual path, they may opt to observe other sacred dates as well, such as those pertaining to a particular branch of Paganism (i.e., Hellenistic Paganism or Slavic Paganism), to the traditions of their geographic location, and/or their ancestry.

And of course, some people do not feel drawn to observing some or all of these (or any other) Pagan sabbats, and that is totally okay as well.

As many witches, Wiccans, and Pagans do celebrate some form of these eight sabbats, however, and they hold a deeply meaningful place in a lot of peoples’ spiritual journeys, it is not surprising that folks are looking for Pagan sabbat book recommendations.

Personally – as you may have deducted if you’ve been following this blog and/or my Instagram account for very long – I madly adore and actively celebrate all eight of the Pagan sabbats that comprise The Wheel of The Year.

This facet of Paganism is integral to my practice and has the added bonus of making the year markedly more enjoyable and exciting for me (as a sabbat transpires roughly once every 6 to 8 weeks throughout each year).

I’m definitely a “sabbat witch”, if you will, and love each of these eight sacred days from the bottom of my heart.

Scores of others do as well and it’s no surprise that new witches, as well as those looking to deepen their knowledge of and/or connection to their spirituality, are keen to learn about the Pagan sabbats.

As I know that for every question on a given subject I receive, no doubt many others out there are thinking the same thing but don’t reach out ask, I’ve decided to start turning some of the questions about witchery and Paganism books that I receive into their own dedicated blog posts.

Not only will this hopefully help those searching for suggestions via Google or social media (including Pinterest), but it will allow me to quickly point people who query me about Pagan sabbat books to this very entry.

While I wouldn’t go so far as to claim that the following list encompasses every single book ever written in English about the Pagan sabbats, it is a rather extensive list of the current books on this subject.

No doubt new ones will come along in the future, and there are plenty of books on broader witchcraft and Pagan related topics that cover the sabbats to varying degrees as well (rare is the Paganism or Witchery 101 book, for example, that doesn’t provide at least a cursory overview of the sabbats).

This post houses a very extensive list and I hope that it will provide new and more experienced witches, Wiccans, and Pagans alike with plenty of appealing and informative reading options.

Pull up a cozy seat, a bevy of your choice, and your Amazon or Book Depository wishlist and let’s delve into exploring a broad range of Pagan sabbat books.

(Note: At the time of writing this post, a small number of these books are slated to be released later in 2021 or in 2022. The majority of titles are, however, in publication already.)

Llewellyn’s eight-book series on each of the sabbats

This series sprang to life in the 2010s and instantly became quite the darling of the Pagan sabbat book scene. These titles are jam-packed with tons of great information and useful ideas for celebrating each of the eight respective witch’s sabbats. And, I find, much like potato chips, it is really hard to stop at (buying) just one of these terrific titles.

The Pagan Book of Days: A Guide to the Festivals, Traditions, and Sacred Days of the Year

• A daybook containing information about rituals and celebrations that have for centuries been associated with the changing seasons of the year.

• Includes charts of equinoxes and solstices, movable holy days, and monthly lunar phases through 2033

• First edition sold more than 30,000 copies

Pagan rites and festivals are at the root of many traditional holidays in the Western world. Embracing a sensitivity we have lost, the Pagan traditions emphasize mystical spirituality, reverence for the feminine principle, and the links between people and the earth. This unique daybook contains a treasury of information about rituals and celebrations that have for centuries been associated with the changing seasons of the year. Included are the observances of the ancient Greek, Roman, Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Norse traditions, as well as Wiccan traditions and the worship of the Goddess.

In The Pagan Book of Days the author provides details on auspicious and inauspicious days, holy days of ancient gods and goddesses, and the eight stations of the year (the solstices, equinoxes, and cross-quarter days). He also includes lunar and solar charts indicating dates of major Pagan celebrations from the year 2011 through 2033. Illustrations throughout depict images from the classical and northern European traditions. The Pagan Book of Days is an enlightening way to incorporate these ancient cultural and spiritual practices and awarenesses into your daily life.

Genres NonfictionPaganismReligionSpiritualityHistoryReferenceWicca

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Nigel Pennick

Nigel Campbell Pennick, born 1946 in Guildford, Surrey, England in the United Kingdom, an author publishing on occultism, magic, natural magic, divination, subterranea, rural folk customs, traditional performance and Celtic art as well as runosophy.
He is a writer on marine species as well as an occultist and geomancer, artist and illustrator, stained-glass designer and maker, musician and mummer. He also writes on European arts and crafts, buildings, landscape, customs, games and spiritual traditions. He has written several booklets on the history of urban transport in Cambridge and London . He is best known for his research on geomancy, labyrinths, sacred geometry, the spiritual arts and crafts, esoteric alphabets and Germanic runic studies.
He has written many books in German and has over 50 published books and hundreds of published papers on a wide range of subjects.

Intrigued by Amira's vast knowledge of magic, Elaina strikes up a conversation, and the two soon find themselves engrossed in a discussion about ancient spellcasting techniques. Amira, recognizing Elaina's potential, agrees to teach her a rare and powerful spell that has been lost to time. Excited by the prospect of mastering this newfound magic, Elaina dedicates herself to her training under Amira's tutelage.

Ratings & Reviews

Friends & Following

Community Reviews

This is a good little book for what its subtitle states: A Guide to the Festivals, Traditions, and Sacred Days of the Year.

It strikes me that there might be an awful lot more to say about this, in a more scholarly work. (For example Joseph Campbell or Frazer.)

But for a casual reader (or perhaps a prospective wikken) it has a small amount of info for the days of the year.

A couple of examples: December 6: known as Thor/St. Nicholas/Santa Clause/Egyptian Day.

The Gnostic followers of St.Nicholas, the Nicolaites, taught that the only way to salvation lay through frequent sexual intercourse. In northern Europe, St. Nicholas absorbed Pagan attributes from Woden (Odin), chief of the wild hunt, who rides though the sky with reindeer and forty-two supernatural huntsmen. Since the Reformation, this saint has become merged with the Father Christmas Yuletide. The modern Santa Clause also has elements of Thor, traditionally depicted riding a goat and carrying a wassail bowl.

(That example was picked just because I turned to my birthday. Who knew. )

There's an index in back; some fairly useless charts of things that can be easily looked up on the web; and a pretty good introduction covering a number of topics over the course of 26 pages.

Anyway, a fun book to dip into on occasion, and could generate some conversation if left on the coffee table, especially if wearing the right costumes for a dinner party.

By the way, I should add that this isn't a coffee-table format book by any means. It's a short paperback in a fairly small format (6x9 in.)

By the way, there is another book on Goodreads with the same title, author listed as "Nigel" rather than Nancy Pennick. Maybe they are the same book?

An interesting book that I think gives an outline so that you can then look more deeply into whichever Pagan God or Goddess you are interested in. He also talks about how Pagan deities were "made Christian" and so gives a light history into some Christian beliefs as well. This may not be the ultimate Pagan reference book but as I say it does give a good starting point.

7 books 7 followers

Not really useful for what it wants to be useful as. which is supposedly a Pagan daybook.

Hooooowwwwweeeeevvvver. I find this book eternally and consistently useful for what it was never meant to be useful as, which is a treatise on how nonclock using populations labelled and gauged time. This has been invaluable with writing fantasy works, and I love this book for that reason.

2 books 26 followers

What a fun book! I view this as a reference book if nothing else; it's a great starter point to see common beliefs, phrases, and religious practices that were performed throughout the year in the past. Along with runes, information on feast days (Catholic included), and rhymes on birth stones, this reminds me of a more unchanging version of a Farmer's Almanac. I particularly enjoyed the notes about various beliefs in regard to weather--rings around the moon, if weather is like this during this month it'll be xyz during this month. I've always had a fascination with that and was raised on a good bit of that lore, so seeing it put together in a book is great.

A bit esoteric, and I'm not hip to all this neo-paganism. I was hoping to learn about the origin of some holidays, but this doesn't have much history. Bother.

Useful little compendium of newsy tidbits and historical/mythological/philosophical info. Line drawings, no pix, but somthing interesting about almost every day in the year.

Fabulous little reference book. Covers a wide variety of traditions, gives a clear-cut primer on differences in calendars and local time determination relative to the actual center meridian of a timezone, detailed but succinct. Also, as a bonus, doesn't use the word "sabbat" - you love to see a neopagan book without the antisemitism.

As a Celtic Reconstructionist, it is somewhat difficult to review Nigel Pennick’s Pagan Book of Days when it so clearly is not intended for someone on my spiritual path. Who it is intended for, however, is unclear. In his introduction, Pennick states that he is focusing on the Northern/Western traditions (which he extends as far as Serbia), but then also discusses the ancient Pagan Roman calendar year (which, though European, cannot be considered northern). Further, he occasionally references to Egyptian and Indian deities, as well as highlights Egyptian days in the calendar portion of the book. I have since concluded that what he is doing is providing a survey of the deities and days of importance of the various people who have had an impact on the British Isles over the centuries—with a nod to modern British Isles pagan groups, such as the Fellowship of Isis—so that his book is accessible to as large a group as possible. While a noble endeavor, the end result fails, in that the survey is too general to be of much use at all.

The bulk of the book is comprised of month-by-month chapters further subdivided into individual days, with the major festivals and folkloric practices from various cultures listed. Each month is given a small introduction of the origin of the modern name, along with a brief explanation of how that influences the month’s “character.” This is flanked by an introduction to the book itself and various charts for moon phases, transitional holy days, etc.

And that appears to be it. There is no discussion of how these days are decided upon, any variation that may occur depending on where you live, or subtle variations between traditions. Further, everything is pegged to the Gregorian (modern solar) calendar, after reference is made to these events not falling on the same days each year, as they frequently were determined by the lunar cycle. Doing so is useful for modern pagan practitioners, as we live in a world very much ruled by the twenty-four hour clock, but it seems rather odd to declare that the ancients did otherwise, and then discard that tradition without any explanation.

Nigel Pennick clearly is an erudite pagan and a gifted writer, and I am interested in his other books. Nevertheless, I am saddened that so much energy was poured into this book, which provides very little value to its readership. A list of dates is not enough. I cannot see how knowing when Roman, Abrahamic and Greek festivals could be useful to an Asatru practitioner, and vice versa. It may, perhaps, be of interest to a Wiccan whose personal deities span many traditions, but there are so many that it is impossible for one person to observe them all. When it comes down to it, even the most novice of practitioners will already have established a calendar for themselves, and this book will provide very little insight beyond what can be gleaned from various Internet sources.

This book is a must for most Pagans. My copy of it is rather dated, 20th century, but oh well. Once you know what festival or date you are looking for, you can find it online nowadays. But this book is an excellent resource for calendar dates, researching gods' & goddesses' sacred days, and other lore. Trusted author too.

I like this book, althoughthere are many pagan books of days, b/c it doesn't offer as much pandering crap as most of them do. What a relief.

I wish I remembered to pull this out more often. I mean, what if I'm missing the perfect opportunity for . something . just because I haven't paid attention to what day it is?

Agree with others in not finding this book useful for its intended purpose. However, I've had this book for many years and I still enjoying checking each day for a bit of trivia and history.

A HELPFUL EXPLANATORY REFERENCE TO THE PAGAN CALENDAR

Author Nigel Pennick wrote in the Introduction to this 1992 book, “The Pagan tradition is grounded in mystical and numinous elements existing between matter and spirit. The world over it is called something like ‘the old religion,’ or ‘the elder faith,’ acknowledging its senior status among religions. It places emphasis on the links between people, their land, and the natural cycles of the seasons… many people no longer feel rooted in the soil or connected to the seasons. In contrast, pagan myth and ritual embody a profound respect for the physical world and the seasonal nature of the sacred year. In the Pagan sacramental vision, to live according to the natural year is to be in harmony with all things natural and supernatural.” (Pg. 1)

He explains, “The days of the week are named after the gods and goddesses who are their rulers. Most of them are Anglo-Saxon in origin… Traditionally, Sunday is the first day of the week. It is also known as the Lord’s Day from its original association with the … sun god… Monday is the sacred day of the moon… Tuesday is dedicated to the powers of the planet Mars… Wednesday is the day of the Teutonic deity known as Woden or Odin… Thursday is the day … dedicated to … Thor, god of thunder… Friday is the day of Venus. It takes its name from Frigg, the goddess of love and transformation… Saturday is dedicated to … the god Saturn…” (Pg. 8-9)

He outlines, “In central and northern Europe, the natural year is measured by eight major festival days. These days are the equinoxes and solstices of the sun’s year and the four cross-quarter days that come between them. They are observed by all followers of nature religions. Of the eight festivals, four---the equinoxes and solstices---are movable: they are defined by the apparent movement of the sun… These four solar points represent the mutual relationships inherent in the interaction between light and darkness… The four major remaining festivals of the natural year are recognized as more feminine in character. They are the earth-related festivals, related to the cycle of plant growth and the changes of the seasons…” (Pg. 13-14)

He notes, “Samhain… 1 November, marks the beginning of winter… Its eve marked the end of the old year in the Celtic calendar, and its dawn the beginning of the new year. Samhain is thus a time between the years and between the worlds, when the veil between the present and the past, the living and the dead, is thin. It is the Festival of the Dead, that time of year when we remember our ancestors and hail our descendants…. The festival of Samhain is celebrated widely on its eve. This is the Christianized festival of All Hallows’ Eve, popularly known as Halloween… The paper masks, rubber bats, plastic skeletons, and mock witches’ hats of present-day Halloween parties are a modern expression of the Pagan festival of remembrance of death and the departed.” (Pg. 18-19)

He then goes month-by-month through the entire year, pointing out the festivals for each day: “January is sacred to the Roman god Janus, the two-faced divinity of endings and beginnings (Pg. 27); ‘February… comes from the Roman goddess Februa, mother of Mars (Pg. 37); “The month of March is sacred to the Roman god Mars” (Pg. 46); “The month of April is named after the Greek goddess Aphrodite (the Roman Venus) (Pg. 56); “The merry month of May is named after the goddess who is chief of the Greek Seven Sisters … and the mother of Hermes” (Pg. 65); “June is named after the Roman Great Mother goddess Juno, the Greek Hera: (Pg. 75); “July is named after Julius Caesar” (Pg. 84); “August is named after the first Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar” (Pg. 93); “September is so called because it was the seventh month of the old Roman calendar” (Pg. 103); “October, the eighth month of the old Roman calendar, is sacred to the goddess Astraea” (Pg. 112); “November is the first month of the winter quarter” (Pg. 122); “December s named after the tenth month of the Roman calendar… the Roman goddess Vesta … was also said to rule this month.” (Pg. 132).

He explains individual days, such as: “17 December: The Roman festival of Saturnalia ran for seven days and was known for its extravagant decadence.” (Pg. 138) “25 December: The observance of Christmas contains many elements from a number of different religious sources. The many ceremonies and religious sources make it the most important festival of the year.” (Pg. 141)

This is a useful reference source for anyone interested in the pagan/secular festivals.

Celebrate the Earth: A Year of Holidays in the Pagan Tradition (Paperback)

Published to coincide with the Pagan holiday Samhain on October 31st, this new title by a renowned author and Witch will appeal to spiritualists and environmentalists alike as it celebrates the eight holidays in the Pagan tradition. The Pagan origins of many of our everyday traditions, including the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, are celebrated here as holidays that spring from the seasons of the earth. Wit its practical suggestions for enjoying seasonal renewal, Celebrate The Earth blends all the richness and ancient lore of Witchcraft with how-to advice to create a modern-day celebration of nature. For each holiday, it offers instructions on: Earth magic--sample rituals, preparation, garb, herbcraft, spellcraft, and magical stones, for promoting love, romance, and healing. Holiday fare--recipes and menus to prepare. Ancient activities--crafts and games passed down through generations. Also included is a list of sources--an extensive bibliography, plus lists of specialty shops and mail order catalogs.

About the Author

Laurie Cabot, known as the “official Witch of Salem,” has been a practicing Witch for more than 40 years. She conducts classes and seminars on Witchcraft as a science and, as founder of the Witches’ League for Public Awareness, makes frequent media appearances on behalf of that organization. Cabot has two daughters, Jody and Penny, and lives in Salem, Massachusetts.

Jean Mills and Laurie Cabot have co-authored the books Celebrate the Earth: A Year of Holidays in the Pagan Tradition and The Witch in Every Woman: Reawakening the Magical Nature of the Feminine to Heal, Protect, Create, and Empower.

• Religion / Paganism & Neo-Paganism
• Body, Mind & Spirit / Witchcraft
• Religion / Wicca

• Kobo eBook (February 4th, 2014): $5.99

Book Passage Corte Madera
51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, CA • (415) 927-0960
~ Store is open Mon-Sat from 10:00am-6:00pm, Sun from 11:00am-6:00pm ~

Book Passage San Francisco
1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA • (415) 835-1020
~ Store is open 10:00am-5:00pm Mon-Fri, 9:00am-5:00pm Sat, 11:00am-5:00pm Sun ~

Contact Us | (800) 999-7909 | © 2014 Book Passage | Site Map

Through intense practice and numerous trials, Elaina slowly begins to grasp the intricacies of this spell, unlocking its true potential. However, just as things start to look up, Elaina uncovers a dark secret hidden within the ancient book that holds the spell. This revelation sends her on a treacherous journey, filled with unexpected dangers and encounters with formidable adversaries. As Elaina battles to maintain her composure and uncover the truth, she begins to question the consequences of her own actions and the true nature of magic itself. With its captivating storytelling and stunning illustrations, "Wandering Witch" Volume 4 takes readers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and excitement. The plot twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats, hungry for more. The character development is equally impressive, as Elaina grapples with her newfound powers and the weight of responsibility they bring. Overall, "Wandering Witch" Volume 4 is a must-read for fans of the fantasy genre, as well as those who appreciate a well-crafted manga. It flawlessly combines elements of adventure, mystery, and exploration, leaving readers yearning for the next installment. With each volume, the series continues to captivate and enchant, solidifying its place as a standout in the world of witch manga..

Reviews for "Exploring the Author's Creative Process for Wqndeqing Witch Manga Volume 4"

1. Jane - 1/5 stars

I was really disappointed with "Wqndeqing Witch Manga Volume 4". The story felt disjointed and rushed, leaving very little time for character development. The artwork was also lackluster compared to previous volumes, with inconsistent proportions and sloppy line work. Overall, it just didn't live up to my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it.

2. Mike - 2/5 stars

I've been a fan of the "Wqndeqing Witch" series, but volume 4 left me wanting more. The plot felt convoluted and the pacing was off, making it difficult to follow. Additionally, the character motivations weren't well-established, leaving me detached from their struggles. The artwork remained solid, but that wasn't enough to save this lackluster installment.

3. Sarah - 2/5 stars

I had high hopes for "Wqndeqing Witch Manga Volume 4", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The storyline lacked originality and felt like a rehash of previous volumes. The dialogue was also unrealistic and forced, making it difficult to connect with the characters. On top of that, the artwork seemed rushed and lacked the attention to detail that made the earlier volumes shine. Overall, it was a disappointing read.

4. David - 1/5 stars

Volume 4 of "Wqndeqing Witch Manga" was a letdown. The story felt predictable and lacked any real depth. The characters didn't evolve or face any significant challenges, making them uninteresting and forgettable. Additionally, the artwork was amateurish and inconsistent, with awkward panel layouts that made it hard to follow the action. Overall, I wouldn't recommend wasting your time with this volume.

The Influence of Wqndeqing Witch Manga Volume 4 on the Genre